“I apologize for the delay; I needed time to understand the situation. Then, I had to wait until there were not any witnesses to disappear. It looks like this has nothing to do with your mom or the Council. It’s just a military operation to scare some would-be rebels.”
“Rebels?” The only thing Al could see was the slightest gleam of white from Soul’s mask.
Soul placed a hand on Al’s shoulder. “There are rumors that this town is selling metal to be used in weapons made by anti-government factions.”
“They would occupy a whole town just because of some rumors?” What would they do if they found out about what’s under my house? “How many prisoners have they taken?”
Soul’s grip on his shoulder tightened, “All the Telics in town are being kept in this facility; I would say there are forty to fifty from the looks of it.”
“So they are just imprisoning Telics?” Al asked.
“No.” Soul whispered. “Let me show you.”
Al shut his eyes tight and braced for the Snow. It was a short trip – over before he had realized it had begun.
“After they knocked you out, they brought me back here.” Soul’s voice was barely audible.
The smell hit him before anything else - the rank stench of waste and death. He peaked open his eyes and found himself standing in a damp and rotting barn.
Above them the sky could be seen through the gaps and holes of the roof while below them was a massive pit, dug down into the muck of the earth.
“They interrogated me a bit, and then threw me in with them.”
A noise escaped him as he saw what the pit was filled with. “Soul,” Al felt the bile rise into his throat.
Humans, a hundred or more, filled the pit. Some were alive, some were not, most were in a stage in between. They were bone thin and covered in filth, men and women of all ages, the youngest looking not much older than him.
He couldn’t hold it in, he ran to a corner of the barn, insects scattering underneath his feet as he gave up the contents of his stomach onto the dirt.
“A man from the pit that I spoke with said they pull one of them out each day, ask them to confess what they have been doing, and when they do not, they execute them and put them back in the hole.” Soul said softly, but with a calmness that said it wasn’t the first time he had seen something so horrific.
“Why?” He moaned, “Why don’t they just confess?”
“There is nothing to confess. These people, they are all innocent.”
Al shook his head and wiped at his mouth. “We have to save them.”
“What do you think they will do to the rest of the town then, Allen?” Soul hadn’t moved from his spot by the door. “If you act irrationally only more pain and suffering will follow.”
“We can’t leave it like this!” He shouted, “Why would you show me this if you did not intend to help them?”
“What you do from here on out is your choice. If you wish to save these people I will not stop you. My choice has already been made for me - I protect the realm, and so matters such as this can not distract me from finding the book and keeping it safe from the Man of Mist, do you understand what I’m saying?”
There voices must have carried down into the pit, muffled cries of agony and pleas for help began to rise up from the depth.
“You go. Go find my mom. Find the book. But I…”
“I know.” Soul lifted his mask and looked at Al with a face he remembered, “The Regan Fortuna has made it past the airspace security and will be landing soon. You won’t have to fight alone. I will come back and help when I can.”
Al nodded, his fear gone, replaced with determination.
“Come on,” Soul held out his hand, “I will take you to the edge of the mountains.”
He grabbed Soul’s outstretched hand without hesitation, traveling through the Snow was getting easier each time he did it – as long as he closed his eyes.
Once he felt solid ground under his feet he stepped away and looked back at Soul, “Have you ever done anything like this before?”
“Like what? Saving the realm or saving this town?”
“Either.” Al shrugged.
Soul gave a small smile and pulled his mask back down, “All the time.” And then he was gone.
He couldn’t help but roll his eyes a bit. Cocky son-of-a-bitch. Al released a stream of his Telic Powers, extending his senses into the world and having them come back with exactly what he had been hoping to find. His uncle wasn’t far off, from what he could tell he and the Captain were already on there way down the mountain, heading straight for him.
Al raced up the mountain, letting his Telic nature overtake him. He was faster, more agile and felt simply unstoppable as the rocks and dirt flew under his feet. Minutes later he could feel them, Zero and the Captain, they were just up ahead.
There was no doubt they must have heard him coming - he took no care in making his progression quiet since the last thing he wanted to do was to sneak up on a couple of on-edge Haven beings.
“Hey!” He quietly shouted, they weren’t visible yet over the next ridge, but he knew they were there.
The Captain poked his head over first, a wide smile on his face as he looked down from the rocky edge.
Al wasn’t expecting the shove in the back that came from Zero, and let out a yelp of surprise when his uncle pushed him from behind.
“You are in such trouble.” His uncle hissed, pushing him again.
“Quit it, Zero.” The Captain dropped silently to the ground beside him. “He’s safe, that’s all that matters.”
“He’s not safe yet.” His uncle growled, letting his fangs show a little, “He still has to deal with me.”
The Captain put an arm around his shoulders, “Come on, everyone can’t wait to see you.”
Al pulled away gently, not wanting to be rude, “Captain, uncle, we can’t leave, not yet.”
Zero let out a harsh laugh. “I’ll carry your scrawny butt if I have to. We’re leaving.”
“Please, just listen. The town is under siege. They are killing innocent people down there.” He pleaded to the Captain, knowing his protection instincts were bound to kick in.
“I’ll take a look, okay,” The Captain placed a hand on his shoulder, “after you are safe on the ship.”
“No, I can help.” Al demanded.
“Sure you can.” Zero oozed sarcasm.
There was a sharp pain between his neck and shoulder and what followed must have been the longest blink in history, for, the next thing he saw was the inside of the cargo bay with the large hum of the ramp retracting filling his ears.
“Zero, you jerk!” He cursed as he realized Zero must have forced him to pass out. He pushed his uncle away who only laughed as a defense.
“Let’s get going before we wear out our welcome.” The Captain was already through the door into hall.
“Liar!” Al screamed and turned right back for the hatch.
“Don’t you dare.” His uncle growled.
“Allen!” Lee burst in and put a hand to his massive chest. “I am so very glad you are safe.”
“Lee!” Al could make Lee help him, he was sure of it. “We have to get out of here – we have to save that town down there.”
“And the Book of Nine?” He asked.
“Soul is taking care of it. But the town, that’s up to us to save. There are hundreds of people being tortured and killed, the Telics have all been rounded up and imprisoned.”
“But, that is...” Lee’s disbelief faded as his eyes drifted off.
Could he hear them? The tortured minds of the people of Gadimine?
“Allen.” Lee whispered.
“Stop it. Whatever you’re thinking, stop.” Zero yelled. “We’re leaving and that’s that.”
“How can you call yourself a Telic?!” Al screamed back. “You would let this town die? For nothing! You would have stopped me from finding the Book on Nine too, right? You would sacrifice all the lives in t
he living for what? For me?”
“Yes.” Zero said, “For you.”
“That’s stupid.” He sneered. “It’s stupid and selfish.”
“Nothing can save those people, not even us. If you say Soul is taking care of the Book of Nine problem, well, that’s great and there is no reason for us to stay.”
“We can save them.”
“Really, how?” Zero looked behind him as the Captain walked back in, followed by Sara and Roland. “Those are soldiers down there, a whole battalion of them. What makes you think you even have a chance?”
“You could free the Telic’s first. Government soldiers have it engrained in them to fear the Haven races.” Roland shrugged, looking mildly interested in their situation. “They are contained, yes, separate from the rest of the prisoners. The government won’t harm them, they are just keeping them isolated from what they are doing so they don’t revolt.”
“That’s exactly what it was.” Al nodded. “The Telics are totally separate; they are being kept in cells without windows or light, totally cut off from everything.”
Roland gave an understanding look, “And growing weaker by the day I’m sure. Even the government gives a slight amount of respect to the order of power, after what happened during the Small War.”
Sara scoffed. “They don’t respect anything.” She adjusted her vest, already stocked and loaded for battle.
“They respect death. And if the Telics were to cause another uprising, they would be forced to kill them, and that would certainly catch the attention of the Havens, just like it did during the Small War. Do I need to remind you how that War ended? Keeping the Telics captive keeps them quiet and out of the way and no one is the wiser.”
“I can’t put them in danger. Like you said, they are weak now, and scared. There has to be another way.” Al shook his head.
“We could make them think we have freed the Telics.” Lee suggested. “If we can gather the soldiers into one area I may be able to manipulate their minds enough for them to think they stand against an army of Telics.”
“Like an illusion?” Sara asked, looking out the door and into the hallway.
“Victor, talk sense into these kids.” Zero pushed the Captain back a little, trying to shake the distant look off his face.
“Al,” the Captain started, “Even if by some miracle we are able to free the people of this town and get the soldiers to leave, what then? It won’t end there, you know. The government won’t forget; they won’t forgive.”
Roland opened his mouth to say something, then shut it tight.
“What is it Roland?” He asked.
“Nothing, it’s nothing. The Captain is right, this may be a very bad idea. If anything, maybe we retreat for now and inform one of the actual rebel factions that exist and let them handle it.”
“See, now that’s a great idea.” Zero slapped Roland hard enough on the back to make him stumble forward.
“They are killing an innocent person every day, and I’m sure more are dying just from the conditions they are in. We don’t have time to wait.”
“Dad.” Al could have sworn it was Sky’s voice, “You hear what he’s saying, right? Why are you even hesitating?”
“Skyden!” Al surged forward and saw him, just out of view in the hallway, leaning weakly on the wall.
“Hey, Al.” He smiled, straightening and trying to look brighter. “I’m really glad to see you.” His voice cracked.
“You’re okay?” Al’s heart beat with relief, “Sky…”
“He’s not well enough to leave this ship. He shouldn’t’ even be up right now.” The Captain was looking right at Sky as he said it. “But,” He exhaled loudly, casting his gaze upon all those gathered in the small entry, “if the rest of you feel up to it, I think I have a plan.”
“I am not afraid to fight.” Lee stood up even taller, his head nearing the ceiling.
“Me neither.” Sara stepped up as well.
“Well, hopefully there will be no fighting. Just some tricks and illusion.” The Captain ran a nervous hand through his hair. “If things go sour we retreat, that’s it. We’ll give it one try; if we fail to scare them into leaving, then we’re done and we let someone with an army and actual resources handle this.”
“You can’t be serious, Captain.” Zero backed away.
“Just like the old days, Zero. I can protect a group this small, and we’ll keep the ship ready for a fast get away if need be.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I didn’t think you would. And I know what we swore, but…”
“Whatever.” His uncle shook his head, annoyed. “Let’s go before we lose the light.”
“Sky,” The Captain turned to his son, holding fast to his shoulders, “You have to stay here. No matter what, stay on the ship. Get the rest you need and we’ll be back before you know it.”
Sky nodded, but for some reason looked over to Roland of all people.
“Obey your father,” Roland raised his eyebrows, “You are in no condition to do anything reckless.”
“Right.” Sky sighed and backed away from his dad.
“They know we’re here though – we got clearance to land. What makes you think the ship isn’t the first place they will look if things go wrong.” Sara chimed in with her first touch of worry.
“I can cloak the ship,” The Captain assured her. “They’ll never find it.”
“What if they do?” She asked, “Sky can’t protect himself.”
“I’m not totally useless you know.”
“I’ll stay with him.” Roland volunteered with a bit too much enthusiasm.
“No way, you’re a doctor, this is the one time you might be useful.” Sara snapped her mouth shut once she realized what she said, “With all due respect, Sir.”
Zero grabbed Sky and pulled him away. They all followed as he dragged him into the commons, yanked out a chair, and threw Sky down into it. “Wait here.” He barked and disappeared out of the room.
Al wondered what he was up to, but his answer came soon enough when his uncle stormed back in, three scraps of paper in his hand.
“Watch closely.” He said to Sky and formed a triangle around him with the paper, each of which had a complex symbol drawn on it. “Once you’ve laid them down, you just need to form the ‘key’ sign with your hands, like this,” his uncle took both his hands and made the sign of the key, one of the simpler hand signs, “and then, it’s active. You’ll be invisible to anyone, and I mean anyone, but you can’t move outside the barrier or else you’ll break it. Understand?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“There, you happy?” He turned to Sara. “He can run away and hide if they somehow manage to break in.”
Sara nodded her approval and stared at Sky. “Don’t leave the ship. Promise me.”
Sky shrugged causally and Al could tell by the look on his face that whatever he said next wouldn’t mean a thing.
“I promise.” Sky replied.
“Good.” She said and pulled one of the knives from her belt and shoved it in his hand. “Here, take this. Just in case.”
“Let’s get going.” The Captain said and ruffled Sky’s hair, “We’ll be back soon okay.”
“All right.” Al breathed a sigh of relief. Sky was alive and well, and he had his friends and family at his side. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
The Captain and Zero had made it to the rooftops undetected as Al and Lee found a way into the clock tower in the middle of town. Sara and Roland held their position up on the rocky cliffs and were only to come if needed. Al wasn’t surprised, but no less relieved, at how well they functioned as a team.
A few broken locks and endless flights of stairs later they were nearly to the clock face that overlooked the center of town.
Al put a supportive hand on Lee’s shoulder. “Are you ready?” Was all he had to say to receive a confident and determined agreement from Lee.
They proceed
ed quietly to the clock face. “You should have a clear view from here.” He looked down onto the town. A group of soldiers was gathered outside what must have been the city hall, and from what Al could tell, it was where they were running their operation out of.
The plan was set. He asked for all the help the Haven’s could send, for they would need it.
Lee took his place beside him, “Be assured, Allen, I will do my part until death.”
Al had to smile at his earnestness. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, man.” He slapped Lee on the back, trying to muster his carefree self, “I better head up before they start to miss me.”
Al rushed up to the roof to find the two anxious faces of Zero and the Captain already there waiting for him.
“Lee’s ready.” He said with a steady voice.
They made their way to the front of the building, crouched below the lip of the ledge, out of the view of wandering eyes.
The Captain let out a long breath with his eyes closed, preparing himself mentally and, more obviously, physically.
“You can do this Vic.” Zero assured him.
When the Captain opened his eyes, they were the eyes of an Iko. Energy radiated from every cell in his body. “I am the voice for those who can not speak, the fist for those who can not fight,” he whispered out his mantra quickly, “the strength for those who have none, I am the protector and will protect all of those who call my name.” He finished with a long exhale, then leapt up onto the ledge, beckoning attention with his glowing form as pure energy began to gather behind him, spreading out like two giant wings.
Al dared a peak over the side of the ledge to see the soldiers in the street looking up in awe and terror. It was probably the first time any of them had ever encountered an Iko in full on Haven mode - and so it was no surprise when a few of them dropped to their knees with tears in their eyes.
More soldiers gathered, and then even more.
“Free the innocent.” The Captain commanded them. “Free your captives.”
The soldiers looked around at one another with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
“You will be given till the sun retreats beyond the mountain, and then we will come.”
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